Large 18th Century Baroque Period Antique Carved Wooden Cherub Head

A striking and emotive example of Baroque ecclesiastical sculpture, this large 18th-century carved wooden cherub head captures the expressive dynamism of the period. Likely Italian in origin, the putto is carved in limewood with traces of original gesso, gilding, and polychrome, lending it a rich patina and layered visual depth.

This sculptural fragment would have originally adorned a high altar, ceiling boss, or architectural cartouche in a church or chapel. The cherub’s upward gaze and stylised curls evoke the celestial exuberance of Baroque religious art, where such figures symbolised divine presence, innocence, and spiritual elevation.

Putti — often confused with cherubs — were used extensively in both sacred and secular contexts. In religious settings, winged heads like this one were meant to represent incorporeal angelic beings, closest to God. They were often placed near representations of the Holy Trinity or the Virgin Mary, also known as the Madonna.

This piece displays beautifully as a standalone sculpture or wall-mounted accent, offering collectors a tangible link to the devotional artistry of 18th-century Europe.

Provenance: Italy. Early 18th century.

Condition: As per the images. Surface wear is commensurate with age. A further detailed condition report is available upon request.

Size: Width 41.25 cm x Height 19 cm x Depth 26.5 cm (16" x 7 1/2" x 10 1/2")

Historical Background:

Putti and Cherubs: Symbolism in European Art

The term putto (plural putti) derives from the Latin putus, meaning “boy.” In classical art, putti were winged infants associated with Eros/Cupid, symbolising love, desire, and divine influence. During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, they were reinterpreted within Christian iconography as cherubic spirits, representing innocence, divine love, and the omnipresence of God.

Cherub heads — often depicted without bodies — were meant to convey pure intellect and spiritual essence, free from earthly form. Their placement in churches reinforced the idea of heavenly guardianship and divine proximity.

Baroque Wood Carving:

Baroque wood carving flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries, especially in Italy, France, and Spain. Artisans employed limewood, walnut, and mahogany, using techniques like relief carving, gilding, and polychrome layering to create dramatic, emotionally charged works.

Baroque sculpture is known for its ornate scrollwork, dynamic movement, and theatrical expressiveness. Figures like this cherub head were designed to draw the viewer’s eye upward — both physically and spiritually — in line with the Counter-Reformation’s emphasis on awe-inspiring religious art.